Spathoglottis plant named `Lencaract`

ABSTRACT

A distinct cultivar of Spathoglottis plant named `Lencaract` characterized by its relatively compact, upright, and vigorous growth habit; rapid growth rate; elongated leaves that are upright to outwardly arching; numerous large dark purple flowers on strong and erect peduncles; long-lasting flowers; and good postproduction longevity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofSpathoglottis plant, botanically known as (Spathoglottis unguiculata×Spathoglottis plicata), and hereinafter referred to by the cultivarname `Lencaract`.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned and controlled breedingprogram conducted by the Inventor in Bedburg-Hau, Germany. The objectiveof the breeding program is to create new compact Spathoglottis cultivarswith large long-lasting flowers, intense flower color, and rapid growthrate.

The new cultivar originated from a cross by the Inventor between anunnamed (Spathoglottis plicata) as the female, or seed, parent with anunnamed selection of (Spathoglottis unguiculata×Spathoglottis plicata)as the male or pollen parent. The cultivar `Lencaract` was discoveredand selected by the Inventor in May, 1995 as a plant within the progenyof the stated cross in a controlled environment in Bedburg-Hau, Germany.

In side-by-side comparisons conducted by the Inventor in Bedburg-Hau,Germany, the following differences between the new Spathoglottis and thefemale parent, an unnamed selection of Spathoglottis plicata, have beenobserved:

1. Plants of the new Spathoglottis grow faster than plants of theunnamed selection of Spathoglottis plicata.

2. Plants of the new Spathoglottis have larger flowers than the unnamedselection of Spathoglottis plicata.

3. Flowers of plants of the new Spathoglottis are arranged closertogether than flowers of plants of the unnamed selection ofSpathoglottis plicata.

4. Flower color of plants of the new Spathoglottis is more intensepurple than flower color of plants of the unnamed selection ofSpathoglottis plicata.

5. Leaves of plants of the new Spathoglottis are narrower than leaves ofplants of the unnamed selection of Spathoglottis plicata.

In side-by-side comparisons conducted by the Inventor in Bedburg-Hau,Germany, the following differences between the new Spathoglottis and themale parent, an unnamed selection of (Spathoglottisunguiculata×Spathoglottis plicata), have been observed:

1. Plants of the new Spathoglottis have larger flowers than the unnamedselection of (Spathoglottis unguiculata×Spathoglottis plicata).

2. Inflorescences of plants of the new Spathoglottis are larger thaninflorescences of plants of the unnamed selection of (Spathoglottisunguiculatta×Spathoglottis plicata).

3. Flower color of plants of the new Spathoglottis is darker purple thanflower color of plants of the unnamed selection of (Spathoglottisunguiculatta×Spathoglottis plicata).

4. Leaves of plants of the new Spathoglottis are broader than leaves ofplants of the unnamed selection of (Spathoglottisunguiculata×Spathoglottis plicata).

Asexual propagation by divisions and tissue-culture of the new cultivarat Huissen, The Netherlands, has shown that the unique features of thisnew Spathoglottis plant are stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations of asexual propagation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Spathoglottis has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature and light intensity,without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of `Lencaract`. These characteristics incombination distinguish `Lencaract` as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Relatively compact, upright plants.

2. Vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.

3. Elongated leaves that are upright to outwardly arching.

4. Numerous large dark purple flowers on strong and erect peduncles.

5. Long-lasting flowers and good post-production longevity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. The photographcomprises a side perspective view of a typical potted plant of`Lencaract`. Flower and leaf colors in the photograph may appeardifferent from the actual colors due to light reflectance.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe plants grown in Bedburg-Hau, Germany, in aglass greenhouse under typical commercial conditions with day and nighttemperatures averaging 20 and 18° C., respectively, and light levels ofabout 3,000 lux.

Botanical classification: (Spathoglottis unguiculata×Spathoglottisplicata) cultivar `Lencaract`.

Parentage:

Female parent.--Unnamed selection of Spathoglottis plicata.

Male parent.--Unnamed selection of (Spathoglottisunguiculata×Spathoglottis plicata).

Propagation: By tissue culture.

Time to initiate roots.--About 60 days at 20° C.

Plant description:

Plant shape.--Upright to outwardly arching elongated leaves and erectflowering stems arising from above-ground pseudobulbs. Appropriate for13 to 15-cm containers.

Plant height.--About 50 cm from soil level to top of leaf plane.

Plant vigor.--Vigorous with rapid growth rate.

Time to finishing.--About 12 to 15 months are required to produce aflowering finished 14-cm plant from a tissue-cultured plantlet.

Pseudobulbs.--Quantity: Usually about five per 13 to 15-cm container.Shape: Ovoid. Length: About 3.5 cm. Width: About 1.5 cm. Color: Mediumgreen with moderate anthocyanin.

Foliage description.--Quantity of leaves: About five leaves perpseudobulb, usually about 25 per container. Aspect: Mature leaves heldupright to outwardly arching. Length: About 55 cm. Width: About 4 cm.Shape: Elongated, linear; acute apex; entire margin; parallel venation.Texture: Glabrous, plicate. Color: Young and fully expanded, uppersurface: 137B/137C. Young and fully expanded, lower surface: 137C/137D.

Flower description:

Flower arrangement.--Large purple flowers arranged on a raceme.Peduncles, strong and erect. Typically about six to twelve flowers perflowering stem. Flowering intermittent, usually one inflorescence perpseudobulb at a time. Flowers persistent.

Natural flowering season.--April/May until November in the NorthernHemisphere.

Flower longevity.--Individual flowers typically last about one week.

Flower size.--Length: About 4.5 cm. Width: about 3.5 cm.

Flower pedicel.--About 2 cm in length, thin; sparsely pubescent.

Bracts.--Appearance/shape: More or less petaloid, strongly concave,broadly elliptic. Color: 78A/80A.

Petals.--Length: About 2.25 cm. Width: About 1 cm. Shape: Elliptic.Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire, undulation on lateral petals. Texture:Smooth, satiny. Color: Fully opened, upper and lower surfaces: 80A.

Slepals.--Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire, slightundulation. Texture: Smooth, satiny. Color: 80B/80C.

Labellum.--Shape: Tri-lobed. Lateral lobes: Erect; truncate; more orless incurving; 71A/72A. Middle lobe: Stalked; reniform; 71A/72A; clawlight yellow at base with some red longitudinal stripes at the base ofwhich with two relatively high comb-shaped extensions with small reddots and long white hairs.

Column color.--Dorsal, 71A; ventral, 72A.

Pollinia.--Yellow.

Peduncle.--Aspect: Strong and erect. Length: About 35 cm. Diameter:Thin, about 6 mm. Texture: Glabrous with some membranous brown sheathleaves. Color: Medium green with medium anthocyanin.

Disease resistance: Under low light conditions, Botrytis may beobserved. Resistance to known Spathoglottis diseases has not beenobserved.

Seed development: Seed development has not been observed.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Spathoglottis plantnamed `Lencaract`, as illustrated and described.